Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's sleep apnea is service-connected, but his obesity and other conditions are not.,Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) may be related to the Veteran's service, but further examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current asthma and his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and remanded the claims for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Hypertension due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The claim for a heart condition has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,The claims for right and left ankle disabilities have been reopened based on the submission of new evidence, but service connection is denied as there is no direct or secondary evidence linking these conditions to service.,Diabetes mellitus was not incurred in service and is not related to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities has not been shown to be related to service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Diabetic retinopathy was not documented during service or within one year after separation and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,A kidney condition was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,Vertigo has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was not documented during service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Gout was not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking it to service. Service connection is denied.,A lung disability manifested by spots in the lung has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Neurological condition manifested by tremors has not been shown to be related to service. Service connection is denied.,Sleep apnea was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left shoulder disability was not diagnosed in service and is not considered secondary to any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Hypertension did not have its onset during service, nor is it linked to a pre-existing condition. Service connection is denied.,Erectile dysfunction was not shown to be related to service or any other condition. Service connection is denied.,Left hip disability and right ear condition (manifested by swelling and drainage) were not diagnosed in service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking them to service. Service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic adjustment disorder with depression, hypertension, sleep apnea, and insomnia were denied as the evidence did not show a current disability or relationship to military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated as compensable because his diastolic blood pressure does not consistently reach 100 or more, and his systolic blood pressure does not consistently reach 160 or more.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and low back disorder have been remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The issues are now pending for further examination and determination.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension are granted as service-connected. The Board also grants the claims for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding that they are secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II. Service connection is denied for bilateral optic neuropathy.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his exposure to Agent Orange during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the appeals on all issues related to service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension due to new and material evidence. However, the issue is remanded as additional evidentiary development is needed, including obtaining private treatment records from certain physicians and scheduling a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for reopening the previously denied service connection for low back strain was granted, and he is now entitled to a compensable evaluation for his left shoulder disability.,An effective date of May 25, 2012, was assigned for the grant of service connection for residuals of rotator cuff tear with degenerative arthritis (left shoulder disability).

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to unresolved issues related to service connection. The hypertension claim is granted, while diabetes and peripheral neuropathy claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection and rating issues. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, but his conditions have not worsened enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and stroke residuals as due to hypertension.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current hypertension or stroke residuals and her active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a respiratory disability and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish an in-service injury, disease or relevant event with regard to these conditions, and thus could not grant service connection on any theory of entitlement raised by the Veteran or the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of in-service occurrence or aggravation of this disability and that it is not a disease presumed to be related to herbicide agent exposure. The Board also found that the Veteran's hypertension was less likely than not caused by his diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, hypertensive nephrosclerosis (claimed as kidney failure), prostate cancer, and diabetes mellitus type II due to exposure to Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water, asbestos, jet fuel, and lead poisoning. The Veteran's records are incomplete and need to be obtained.

The Board denied service connection for an eye condition, a respiratory condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II (DM).,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service.

Service connection for PTSD, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and jungle rot (skin rash and groin rash) is granted. Service connection for back condition, hypertension, headaches, and sleep disorder remains denied.